4th Axis Tips and Tricks

[khitchens]

I bought the "new" Next Wave CNC 4th Axis a few months ago, and wrote support for help setting it up. They gave me info on the old 4th Axis, so they were of NO help. (everything they told me was wrong)
Anyway, I thought I would start this tread so that others that is either looking to purchase or set up the new model of their 4th Axis will have a little information.

1. The chuck is NOT removable like on the old model. The tail stock takes a standard lathe tail stock live center. The tail stock that comes with it is okay, but needs to be locked down when in use. Unlike my lathe tail stock this tail stock moves if not locked down.
2. If you use Ready2Control. Only turn on the A axis controls. DO NOT go into the more controls and pick a type. It will show you three types.... NONE of these are correct. To set the type, follow the instructions that came with the 4th axis, and set it up using the pendent. From what I understand, this setting is saved to the controller. So in Ready2Control it will show no radio buttons selected. Leave it that way. I guess they are too busy to update their Ready2Control program. (If someone from Next Wave reads this... take this as a hint!)
3. If you are like me and have your own spoil board with a T-Track. that mounting spacing is 3 inches on T-track center. This new 4th Axis is very easy to align.
4. In the instructions, it hints that the gantry may need to be raised to a higher lever. With a spoil board, chances are that this is a must! My spoil board is 1.5" thick and with a raised gantry, the gantry still just clears with very little extra head room.
5. The instructions says to set the center off the round tail stock. If your tail stock is in the cutting area, then it is very easy to use a touch plate on the back of the flat part of the tail stock and the move the Z by -1.1024 inches which should be your center point. (tail stock measurements shown in mm in photo linked below.) I added a piece of clear shelf liner to the top of the tail stock to isolated it from the current when the touch plate is in use, so I had to figure that thickness in also.
5. It appears that NW purchased this unit off the open market, and wired it to connect with their control box. (Hint: I found an identical unit on Amazon) They added additional bases to both the head stock and tail stock, put a cheap cover over the head stock that comes off way too easy, and wired it to their controller. That's about it, except more than doubling the price. I understand needing profit to stay in business.
Seeing that I have never ran across the specs for this 4th axis, I have posted the ones I found on Amazon at:

http://khitchens.com/other/4th-axis.jpg

6. I guess you can use VCarve desktop with the 4th axis, but you should be aware that the "Gadgets" offered in VCarve Pro and Aspire is a real life saver. So if you are a VCarve Desktop user, expect to need to upgrade to at least VCarve Pro so you can use the "Wrapping" and "Turned Profile" gadgets that these versions offer.

That's all I have for now... If you know of any more, please post them!